The 2026 McDonald’s All American Game rosters are officially set, and the spotlight is squarely on the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, where the nation’s top high school talent will square off on Tuesday, March 31. This year’s event carries some extra weight - not just because it features a loaded class, but because it’s the penultimate edition before the game celebrates its 50th anniversary. And based on the names on this year’s list, the future of college basketball - and likely the NBA - is in very good hands.
Headliner: Tyran Stokes Leads the Way
Let’s start at the top. Tyran Stokes, the No. 1 player in the 2026 class, is the marquee name on the roster, and for good reason.
He’s been a dominant force all season, blending size, skill, and a motor that doesn’t quit. Whether it’s finishing through contact, defending multiple positions, or leading in transition, Stokes has checked every box scouts want to see.
He’s not just the top-ranked player - he’s the tone-setter for this year’s All American class.
Five-Star Presence: Who Made It, Who Missed It
The McDonald’s Game has long been a benchmark for elite high school talent, and this year is no exception. Of the 15 players currently rated as five-star prospects by 247Sports, 12 earned a spot on the roster.
That’s a strong hit rate, especially when you consider that two of the three who didn’t make the cut - guard Dylan Mingo and forward Baba Oladotun - were ruled ineligible due to injury. Both are high-level talents who would’ve likely been locks if healthy.
That leaves one notable five-star on the outside looking in: Duke-bound wing Bryson Howard. His omission will surely spark some debate, especially considering his commitment to a blueblood program. But with only 24 spots available, there’s always going to be a tough cut or two.
Top 27 Dominance, A Few Outliers
Looking beyond the five-star ranks, the broader picture still shows a strong correlation between top rankings and McDonald’s selections. Twenty-one of the top 27 players in the senior class made the roster, a testament to the selection committee’s alignment with national scouting evaluations.
That said, there are a few intriguing outliers. Guard Jasiah Jervis (No. 33), forward Quinn Costello (No. 44), and point guard Darius Bivins (No. 84) each earned a spot despite not being in the top 30.
Jervis, in particular, has been rising steadily throughout the season and brings a dynamic scoring punch that likely helped him crack the roster. Costello and Bivins may not have the same national buzz, but their inclusion speaks to the depth and diversity of this year’s talent pool.
Recruiting Landscape: More Undecideds Than Usual
Here’s where things get really interesting: 16 of the 24 McDonald’s All Americans have yet to commit to a college program. That’s a massive jump from recent years - in 2024, there was only one undecided player when the game tipped off, and just two last year. This year’s group is playing it close to the vest, and that sets up a fascinating couple of months as programs jockey for position.
For fans of recruiting drama, this is the kind of year you live for. The dominoes haven’t even started to fall yet, and with so many top-tier players still weighing their options, the college basketball landscape for 2026-27 remains wide open.
Program and Conference Breakdown: A Balanced Field
So far, three programs have landed multiple McDonald’s All Americans: Duke, Missouri, and USC. That’s a strong showing, but no school has more than two commits - a sign of how evenly distributed this year’s talent is. There’s no single juggernaut hoarding all the stars.
From a conference perspective, the Big Ten leads the pack with five future players already committed. The ACC and SEC are right behind with four apiece, while the Big 12 has three. It’s a balanced field, and that parity should make for an exciting college season next year.
What’s Next?
With nearly two months to go before tipoff, the 2026 McDonald’s All American Game is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing in recent memory. The talent is elite, the recruiting storylines are wide open, and the stakes - both for the players and the programs hoping to land them - couldn’t be higher.
We’ll dive deeper into the full roster and break down each player’s game and recruitment in the coming weeks. But for now, circle March 31 on the calendar. If you want a glimpse at the future of basketball, Glendale is the place to be.